Strasbourg, France  - The Council of Europe again called Saturday for an immediate ceasefire in South Ossetia, the breakaway Georgian region where Russian and Georgian forces are battling each other.

The parties to the conflict should begin a dialogue, council Secretary General Terry Davis said in Strasbourg, France on Saturday.

"I urge everyone to stop the shooting and stop the bombing and get round a conference table. A total ceasefire is the only way to stop the killing," Davis said.

Davis said that as members of the Council of Europe both countries are committed to seeking peaceful solutions to conflicts, both internal and international.

The council, based in Strasbourg, was created in 1949 to promote democracy and peace in the continent. It has 47 members, including Georgia and Russia which joined in 1999 and 1996 respectively. (dpa)